Celebrating 80 years of Puffin!
This year we are proud to celebrate 80 years of Puffin. Initially launching in the UK during World War II to help explain the evacuations to children, Puffin published fiction soon after and eventually expanded to Australia in 1963 with the launch of Kangaroo Tales, The Bunyip of Berkeley's Creek and John Brown, Rose and the Midnight Cat. From its beginning, Puffin Australia has been committed to sharing Australian stories, building the Australian identity and providing quality literature for children, an ethos that exists to this day.
The title to our little booklet, Puffinalia, is a nod to the magazine, launched in 1977, which was sent to Australian Puffin Club members. Here you'll find a range of our exciting new releases for the first half of 2020 as well as information to help you choose the best fiction and non-fiction for each learning stage, why reading aloud is good for the brain and a very special word from Melina Marchetta on writing beginner-reader stories for her daughter.
DOWNLOAD PUFFINALIA FOR EDUCATORS [PDF]
Roo Knows Blue Renee Treml
A joyous celebration of colour in the Australian bush from bestselling author-illustrator Renee Treml.
Buy nowGoodnight, Glow Worms Aura Parker
From the creator of the delightful Meerkat Splash comes a cuddly, snuggly bedtime book for the very young, full of joyous, playful illustrations and bouncing rhyme - with a perfect ending to send little ones happily off to sleep.
Buy nowThere's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake 40th Anniversary Edition Hazel Edwards, Deborah Niland
A special edition of the bestselling Australian classic picture book that every bookshelf should have.
Buy nowBeetle and Boo Caitlin Murray
Beetle is brave. Beetle is boastful. Boo is going to test her claims.
Buy nowRocky and Louie Phillip Walleystack, Raewyn Caisley, Dub Leffler
A heartfelt story about the bond between two brothers and their special connection to country. Illustrated by CBCA award-winning picture-book creator Dub Leffler, and written by acclaimed singer/storyteller Phil Walleystack and award-winning children’s author Raewyn Caisley.
Buy nowThe Besties to the Rescue Felice Arena, Tom Jellett
From the author and illustrator of the popular Sporty Kids books comes an exciting new beginner-reader series that celebrates the everyday adventures – at school, at home, in the backyard, even in the living room! A funny, sweet series about kids being kids, where imagination and play rule!
Buy nowThe Besties Show and Smell Felice Arena, Tom Jellett
From the author and illustrator of the popular Sporty Kids books comes an exciting new beginner-reader series that celebrates the everyday adventures – at school, at home, in the backyard, even in the living room! A funny, sweet series about kids being kids, where imagination and play rule!
Buy nowAussie Kids: Meet Taj at the Lighthouse Maxine Beneba Clarke, Nicki Greenberg
Aussie Kids is an exciting new series for emerging readers 6-8 years. From a NSW Zoo to a Victorian lighthouse, or an outback sheep farm in WA to a beach in QLD, this junior fiction series celebrates stories about children living in unique places in every state in Australia. 8 characters, 8 stories, 8 authors and illustrators from all 8 states and territories! Come on an adventure with Aussie Kids and meet Taj from Victoria.
Buy nowAussie Kids: Meet Zoe and Zac at the Zoo Belinda Murrell, David Hardy
Aussie Kids is an exciting new series for emerging readers 6-8 years. From a NSW Zoo to a Victorian lighthouse, or an outback sheep farm in WA to a beach in QLD, this junior fiction series celebrates stories about children living in unique places in every state in Australia. 8 characters, 8 stories, 8 authors and illustrators from all 8 states and territories! Come on an adventure with Aussie Kids and meet Zoe and Zac from New South Wales.
Buy nowAussie Kids: Meet Katie at the Beach Rebecca Johnson, Lucia Masciullo
Aussie Kids is an exciting new series for emerging readers 6-8 years. From a NSW Zoo to a Victorian lighthouse, or an outback sheep farm in WA to a beach in QLD, this junior fiction series celebrates stories about children living in unique places in every state in Australia. 8 characters, 8 stories, 8 authors and illustrators from all 8 states and territories! Come on an adventure with Aussie Kids and meet Katie from Queensland.
Buy nowAussie Kids: Meet Mia by the Jetty Janeen Brian, Danny Snell
Aussie Kids is an exciting new series for emerging readers 6-8 years. From a NSW Zoo to a Victorian lighthouse, or an outback sheep farm in WA to a beach in QLD, this junior fiction series celebrates stories about children living in unique places in every state and territory in Australia. 8 characters, 8 stories, 8 authors and illustrators from all 8 states and territories! Come on an adventure with Aussie Kids and meet Mia from South Australia.
Buy nowAussie Kids: Meet Dooley on the Farm Sally Odgers, Christina Booth
Aussie Kids is an exciting new series for emerging readers 6-8 years. From a NSW Zoo to a Victorian lighthouse, or an outback sheep farm in WA to a beach in QLD, this junior fiction series celebrates stories about children living in unique places in every state and territory in Australia. 8 characters, 8 stories, 8 authors and illustrators from all 8 states and territories! Come on an adventure with Aussie Kids and meet Dooley from Tasmania.
Buy nowAussie Kids: Meet Eve in the Outback Raewyn Caisley, Karen Blair
Aussie Kids is an exciting new series for emerging readers 6-8 years. From a NSW Zoo to a Victorian lighthouse, or an outback sheep farm in WA to a beach in QLD, this junior fiction series celebrates stories about children living in unique places in every state in Australia. 8 characters, 8 stories, 8 authors and illustrators from all 8 states and territories! Come on an adventure with Aussie Kids and meet Eve from Western Australia.
Buy nowAussie Kids: Meet Sam at the Mangrove Creek Paul Seden, Brenton McKenna
Aussie Kids is an exciting new series for emerging readers 6-8 years. From a NSW Zoo to a Victorian lighthouse, or an outback sheep farm in WA to a beach in QLD, this junior fiction series celebrates stories about children living in unique places in every state and territory in Australia. 8 characters, 8 stories, 8 authors and illustrators from all 8 states and territories! Come on an adventure with Aussie Kids and meet Sam from the Northern Territory.
Buy nowAussie Kids: Meet Matilda at the Festival Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern, Tania McCartney
Aussie Kids is an exciting new series for emerging readers 6-8 years. From a NSW Zoo to a Victorian lighthouse, or an outback sheep farm in WA to a beach in QLD, this junior fiction series celebrates stories about children living in unique places in every state and territory in Australia. 8 characters, 8 stories, 8 authors and illustrators from all 8 states and territories! Come on an adventure with Aussie Kids and meet Matilda from the ACT.
Buy nowLeague of Llamas 1: The Golden Llama Aleesah Darlison, Simon Greiner
Forget finding the elusive Fortnite llama or taming your Minecraft llama – 2020 is the year of the League of Llamas!
Buy nowLeague of Llamas 2: Llama Impossible Aleesah Darlison, Simon Greiner
High-action, high-adventure and high-humour – the League of Llamas series is perfect for fans of Diary of a Minecraft Zombie and The Bad Guys.
Buy nowNelson 1: Pumpkins and Aliens Andrew Levins, Katie Kear
Nelson is a brand-new series from DJ, food writer, TEDx speaker, charity founder and all-round funny guy, Andrew Levins.
Buy nowWhat Zola Did on Monday Melina Marchetta, Deb Hudson
From the author of Looking for Alibrandi comes this gorgeous series to engage and entertain newly independent young readers.
Buy nowEdie's Experiments 1: How to Make Friends Charlotte Barkla, Sandy Flett
A new school, a classroom full of potential new friends and a science kit. What could possibly go wrong?
Buy nowAtticus Van Tasticus Andrew Daddo, Stephen Michael King
A ten-year-old pirate captain? Absurd? Not in the world of Atticus Van Tasticus, a fabulously funny new illustrated junior fiction series from the brilliant and wacky creative minds of Andrew Daddo and Stephen Michael King.
Buy nowAlice-Miranda At School Jacqueline Harvey
Move over, Matilda, and step aside, Madeline, there's a new charming miniature heroine about to make her mark.
Buy nowSuper Sporty Girls Penguin Random House Australia
Kick goals, challenge yourself and play with passion. Be inspired by these formidable Australian sportswomen who are fierce athletes and also the champions of having fun.
Buy nowDr. Seuss's Horse Museum Dr Seuss, Andrew Joyner
From the mind of Dr. Seuss comes a book to help understand the sometimes puzzling thing we call ART. Welcome to Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum - now open for a canter through art history.
Buy nowUnlocking the Universe Stephen Hawking, Lucy and Stephen Hawking
The ultimate children's guide to the universe.
Buy nowThe Upside-down History of Down Under Terry Denton, Alison Lloyd
Read the un-put-down-able history of Down Under – unexpected, heroic and sometimes tragic. But never ever boring.
Buy nowThe Australia Survival Guide George Ivanoff
Australia is trying to KILL you – this book will save your life!
Buy nowHOPE: 50 Ways to Help Our Planet Every Day Penguin Random House Australia
Did you know your food travels an average of 4000 kilometres to get to you? Have you ever wondered where exactly ‘away’ is when you throw something away? Or what happens to the 3 billion drink cans Australians go through in a year?
Buy nowHow to Save the Whole Stinkin' Planet Lee Constable, James Hart
Let's go on a journey – it's going to be stinky, sticky and pretty gross, but if you want to be a waste warrior it's the most important journey you'll ever take.
Buy nowThe Peski Kids 4: Near Extinction R.A. Spratt
Dinosaurs will be glad they’re extinct once they’ve had a visit from The Peski Kids!
Buy nowKensy and Max 5: Freefall Jacqueline Harvey
Where do you draw the line when your family and friends are in grave danger? Do you take action even though it means ignoring the rules?
Buy nowToffle Towers 2: The Great River Race Tim Harris, James Foley
The second book in Tim Harris's ridiculously entertaining Toffle Towers series that will make kids laugh out loud – and get their imaginations soaring.
Buy nowAtticus Van Tasticus 2: The Map of Half Maps Andrew Daddo, Stephen Michael King
The second book in the Atticus Van Tasticus pirate series from the hilariously funny team of Andrew Daddo and Stephen Michael King.
Buy nowSuper Sidekicks 3: Trial of Heroes Gavin Aung Than
'Everyone loves an underdog. SUPER SIDEKICKS is a winner!' Lincoln Peirce, author of BIG NATE
Buy nowOrphans of the Tide Struan Murray
A breathtaking middle grade debut for fans of Brightstorm and His Dark Materials.
Buy nowThe Unadoptables Hana Tooke
The amazing humour and world-building of Nevermoor meets the wisdom and warmth of Rooftoppers in this most un-ordinary adventure about five amazing children . . .
Buy now